NEWS and EVENTS
ST. JAMES': INSPIRED TO GIVE
Please prayerfully consider your 2026 financial contribution to St. James’. All pledges are appreciated and needed to continue our growth as a church. Let’s come together to be inspired to give in 2026! If you haven’t received your pledge card yet, please call the church office, or scan the QR code.
TUESDAY NOON BIBLE STUDY
in the Guild Parlor
Join us on Tuesday, December 9, where we will continue the study of the Gospel of Luke, with chapters 22 and 23.
Contact: Gates Elliott, gelliott@stjjax.org.
CALLED TO LOVE:
Finding our Common Purpose in the Bible
10 am, Sundays, in Oak Ridge Hall.
We will continue with the Gospel of Matthew, on Sunday, December 7, and then will be out until January 11.
Our goal will be to journey one book at a time through the Bible and explore what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and a community based on God's love.
We will be striving to see ourselves and our world through the eyes of God: to give us purpose in our day-to-day lives and to guide us in doing the work God has given us to do.
CHRISTMAS GREENERY & FLOWERS MEMORIALS
We are accepting Christmas Greenery & Flower Memorials.
Complete a form found at the entry doors in the church and place it in the offering plates or return it to the Church Office,
OR you may place your order HERE, email kstephens@stjjax.org; or call the church office at 601-982-4880.
Make checks payable to St. James' Church, mark for "Christmas Flowers," and place in offering plates or mail to: 3921 Oak Ridge Dr., Jackson, MS 39216.
Please, submit orders by Monday, Dec 15.
ADVENT WINE & CHEESE
Thursday, December 4, 6–9 pm.
All are invited to the 2025 Advent Wine and Cheese at the home of Pat & Mary Schiele Scanlon, 140 Winged Foot Circle, Jackson, 39211, which will benefit the Youth Pilgrimage to Greece.
CALLING SINGERS OF ALL AGES for “PARISH FAMILY CHOIR”
Children, Youth, Parents and other interested adults are encouraged to join us for the “Parish Family Choir” to help lead the singing of hymns and carols at our 2:00 pm Christmas Eve Family Service. We will rehearse that day prior to the service at 1:15. Wear your Christmas best because we will NOT wear vestments. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or designated adult.
Contact: Kathy Stephens at kstephens@stjjax.org.
ADVENT CANDLES, WREATHS, and MORE ARE AVAILABLE
at the Advent Resource Table in Fowler Hall and the Church Office.
Prepare for the coming season with handmade beeswax Advent candles. Each set of 100% pure beeswax, hand-dipped tapers is $30. Candles are available for purchase from the front office or from the Advent Resource Table. Your purchase benefits Children and Family Ministries as well as the Camphill Village for Special Needs Adults.
CARRYING THE CRÈCHE FOR ADVENT
This year, we are inviting one family each Sunday of Advent to carry a piece of the Nativity Crèche to the altar during the 8:40 Entrance Procession. The remaining Sundays of Advent are December 14 and December 21. If your child and family would like to participate, please reach out to Jess Eddleman at jeddleman@stjjax.org.
ST. JAMES’ CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
Sunday, December 7, 5 pm.
Experience the joy of the story of Christmas by attending the St. James’ Christmas Pageant!
CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD FORMATION FOR ADULTS
January 9, 10, & 11
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd offers a unique formation that enriches the spiritual life of adults as they walk alongside children into the mystery of faith. Rooted in Scripture, prayer, and sacred environment, this approach invites both child and adult into a profound encounter with God’s presence.
St. James’ is excited to offer a Level I training led by Stephanie Diethelm.
Stephanie has been a catechist since 1998, when she took a Level I course that she describes as life-changing. She has extensive experience working with children and adults in a variety of settings and now works with children in an atrium both at Red Mountain Community School and All Saints Episcopal Church in Birmingham, AL.
For registration or inquiries, please contact Jess Eddleman at jeddleman@stjjax.org.
JOIN THE CHOIR AT ST. JAMES’
If you are interested in becoming part of our vocal music ministry, we would love to have you with us. We rehearse each Wednesday from 6:00-7:30 pm. Members of the choir sing at both the 8:40 and 11:05 Sunday services and offer other sung services throughout the year. In St. James’ choir you truly could not find a more welcoming group or a safer space to share and to grow your vocal gifts. Feel free to contact Jonathan Trotter with any questions you may have! jtrotter@stjjax.org
DIOCESE OF MISSISSIPPI COMMUNICATION UPDATES
Bishop Wells is working to enhance communication with all members of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi.
To facilitate this, she is requesting email addresses, which will allow for direct email delivery of important updates, including:
· Messages from the Bishop
· The Mississippi Episcopalian
· TME-News
Parishioners can easily subscribe themselves by visiting this link:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/aBQf1mM/diomscomm
Please be assured that the Diocese of Mississippi is committed to protecting this information.
It will not be shared with any third parties, and parishioners will have the option to unsubscribe at any time.
ADULT FORMATION
Sunday Mornings at 9:50 to 10:50 am
We have three Adult Formation Offerings:
Holy Conversations Lectionary Class gathers in the Parish Library.
Called to Love: Finding our Common Purpose in the Bible gathers in Oak Ridge Hall.
Life with the Sacred Text, a small group reflection on various topics and their relevance as relates to Scripture and daily life, gathers in the Guild Parlor, just off Fowler Hall.
All adult offerings are open and inclusive of adults of any age or interest, no experience required.
Grab coffee and donuts in Fowler Hall and join one of our Adult formation offerings SUNDAYS at 10:00am.
REGULAR WEEKDAY OFFERINGS
MONDAYS, 2pm – Twisted Stitchers, Guild Parlor
TUESDAYS, 7am - Holy Eucharist, Church
Noon - Bible Study, Guild Parlor
WEDNESDAYS, Noon - Trellis Book Group, Library
5:00 - 7:00 pm - Wednesday Night Supper , Fowler Hall
THURSDAYS, 7am - Men's Bible Study, Guild Parlor
SEEKING BAPTISM?
If you or someone you know is seeking Baptism, contact one of our clergy or Kathy Stephens: kstephens@stjjax.org.
2026 BAPTISMAL DATES:
Sunday, January 11, The Baptism of our Lord
Saturday, April 4, Easter VIgil
Sunday, May 24, Pentecost
Sunday, July date TBD, St. James’ Sunday
Sunday, November 1, All Saints Sunday
LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS ON SUNDAYS!
Be sure to watch with the whole family!
St. James' will livestream the 10:00 am services on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/stjjax.org.
The Service Leaflet is available on the website and on the ‘This Sunday’ email.
SEND US YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
If the church does not already have your email address, or if there have been any changes, please send it to Kathy Stephens at kstephens@stjjax.org.
FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR
If you are interested in giving flowers for a month either in thanksgiving or in loving memory of anyone, call Kathy Stephens at 601-982-4880 or
email her at kstephens@stjjax.org. The cost of this is $50 and the flowers are published in our 7:30 am service leaflets, in our Sunday announcements,
and on our website for the month. This is a perfect way to remember someone or to say thank you.
WATCH OUT FOR SCAMMERS!
Please be aware that scammers have gotten some of our work email addresses and are sending out emails that look like they come from St. James' staff. If you receive one of these please know that we would never reach out to you and ask you for money or for you to buy gift cards, etc. Usually you can tell from the extension on the email. All of St. James' staff have our first initial and last name followed by @stjjax.org. If you have any doubt at all please call our office at 601-982-4880.
MEMORIALS AT THE COLUMBARIA
Flowers and mementos left on the columbarium as memorials are a normal part of grieving and are allowed by the Church. Memorials may not be left at either of the inside columbaria. Only fresh flowers may be placed on the outside columbarium. St. James' will remove all flowers once they start to wilt. Mementos left on the outside columbarium will be removed daily. Due to the possibility of breakage and injury, glass of any sort is not allowed on the columbarium.